I'm trying to help my buddy out with his car. He has a std hatch with a b16a, and the vtec wouldn't work. So he rigged it up with a switch and is working. So that is how it is setup for now.

I ran a wire today from the a8 pin to the solenoid and it was still not working. Solenoid is good, ecu is good.

He has codes 14 and 21. We reset the ecu and started the car up and it still had them. I've always found that you typically had to drive for the codes to return. He said he cant seem to reset the codes no matter what.

What else can i look at to get this vtec going??

 

vtec won't work if you have codes. get rid of the codes, reset the ecu and you'll be good to go.

 

14= electronic air control
21= spool solenoid
the second code would effect VTEC for sure..

 

Yea i know what the codes are, just trying to figure out why theres no vtec. When used with a switch it works. I've ran cars with codes before, and vtec worked fine.

Just dont see why the ecu wont reset the codes?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by coot_er &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">vtec won't work if you have codes. </TD></TR></TABLE>

NOT true

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by coot_er &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">vtec won't work if you have CERTAINcodes</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

right... 14 wont disable vtec.

Not sure about 21, spool solenoid. It doesnt have a ground so i dont think that's the issue?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by razor ron &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">right... 14 wont disable vtec.

Not sure about 21, spool solenoid. It doesnt have a ground so i dont think that's the issue?</TD></TR></TABLE>

if its a solenaid....might not be a good solenaid....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by type Gendy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> So he rigged it up with a switch and is working. Solenoid is good, ecu is good.

</TD></TR></TABLE>


If he has the vtec set up on switch, then he probably did the click test to verify it being a good solenoid.

 

Yes the solenoid is GOOD.

Vtec works via switch, but not when wired to a8 pin.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by coot_er &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">vtec won't work if you have codes. get rid of the codes, reset the ecu and you'll be good to go.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AZTEKEF9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

if its a solenaid....might not be a good solenaid....</TD></TR></TABLE>

Man I hate to be rude but <FONT SIZE="3">CANT YOU ******* PEOPLE READ</FONT>

I was also there trying to help.

WE WIRED THE VTEC DIRECTLY TO A SWITCH AND IT WORKS WITH THE SWITCH. THEREFORE IT IS SAFE TO ASSUME THAT IT IS NOT A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. WE ALSO ATTEMPTED, MANY TIMES, TO RESET THE ECU, MANY DIFFERENT WAYS. AND EACH TIME AS SOON AS WE START THE CAR BACK UP THE CODES THROW IMMEDIATELY

 

mayb u have to much oil or not enuf oil?

 

ECU maybe?

 

I forgot to check oil level , hopefully the owner didnt. I'll look at that next time i see him


He has tried a couple different ecus, with same results.

 

going back to what he said about the switch..
If it worked with the switch, than oil level was adequate to engage VTEC. hence NOT THE PROBLEM.
So much misinformation on this thread.

Sounds like the ECU isnt triggering VTEC.
And from your current troubleshooting i will assume you definately wired it right to the correct ECU pin
Not that it's the cause, but troubleshoot the wiring to the EACV.
Search for EACV wiring and you'll get your answer on that, check continuity back to the pins at the ECU to verify correct positioning.

I forget why it throws a spool sol code.. Anyone know if it is wiring related?
(*only answer if you arent talking out of your ****)

LOL

Oh and the VTEC Supplement to the CRX Workshop manual is at
http://www.norcalcrx.org/library/

 

Yea i've got that manual all printed out.

I dont believe eacv wiring is involved in a mpfi swap, if i'm not mistaken, but its been a while since i've done one. Perhaps the thing just needs to be cleaned, so i was gonna try that next.

I still dont see why a code 14 would trigger a 21. Usually teh only codes that will throw a vtec are oil, water, or temperature related.

 

did you switch the vtec oil pressure switch and vtec solenoid plug on accident?

 

When you say reset the ecu, you mean unplug the battery, right? If not then the ecu will not clear the codes.

Like someone else said check the oil level.

The things needed for VTEC to activate: oil, temp (check to make sure the temperature sensor is plugged in), speed greater than 30 mph and rpm greater than 5800 for factory ecu.

 

I pull the hazard fuse for a minute or so, but he unhooks the battery.

Yea everything is in order, vtec plugs are on correctly, oil good, temp guage is working properly,


idk

 

Check all your grounds....seriously....I know it's been said...but just go check....Something could have been messed up, or not making good contact....
Maybe a faukty sensor...and check for breaks in the wire....you never know....Ok...that's all i can think of. good luck

 

good point, did you make a ground wire for the vtec oil pressure switch.

most people over look this wire, they say there is only 4 wires to run (vtec, vtec oil pressure switch, knock sensor, and 2nd o2 sensor) when really there is 5 wires, and thats the ground for the vtec pressure switch.